Early 6N discussion thread

[Big D]

Up front I'm going in the main with fit players in form and an eye on WC squad possibilities (JR covering 7).

Dell
Rambo
Nel
GG
Skinner
Graham/Strauss
Ritchie
Strauss/Ashe

Hardie will be needed later in the 6N and it's as good an opportunity to play Ritchie at 7 as we'll get. Ritchie is the form back rower too.

I just can't see Hardie lasting 5 6N games and a prem game sandwiched in there. Newcastle will have to play him in that game.

Strauss drinking in the last chance saloon.

[Mikey Brown]

The way I see it Ritchie is playing far too well to get dropped, even though I initially thought it was a bit too early for him, and putting Skinner at 6 would depend very much on the way we are trying to play.

Would we want to be mauling it a lot vs Italy? Would we want to keep that up throughout the tournament at the cost of a bit of mobility? It's nice to know he can cover there and may add a bit of flexibility in selection but I don't think he's a 6.

So I'd have 8. Ashe 20. Strauss (or maybe at 6) for definite. Wilson and Hardie can fight it out for the other spot. Graham and Crosbie both offer something but that could be a ridiculously green backrow if they are alongside Ritchie and Ashe.

[Mikey Brown]

No Wilson, Hornes, Jones or Hogg. To be expected, but Ashe starts. FFS.

[OptimisticJock]

I get bored being bored with Wilson being selected.

[Mikey Brown]

I get bored being bored with Wilson being selected.

Yeah. That try he scored from 3 metres out the other day kind of struck me, I literally can't remember the last big positive contribution he made in attack (or defense?) other than the occasional nice pass. Being "a bastard to play against" can't be enough to win 50 international caps, surely?

If Strauss doesn't work some sort of magic it means we're either banking on Blade Thomson being fit/good or going to the RWC with Wilson at 8.

[Big D]

Being "a bastard to play against" can't be enough to win 50 international caps, surely?

That seems to have become his reputation without ever being evidenced. When has that ever been the case? He isn't a big carrier, nor does he make big hits, and occasionally acts like a cock. That doesn't add up to being a bastard to play against.

[Mikey Brown]

It sounds more flattering than it should. At some point it evolved from being “a nuisance around the breakdown”. I’m sure when he first appeared he was quite a good carrier too.

[Mikey Brown]

McDowall, Hughes and Pyrgos in for Smith, Dunbar and Harley.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47027419

Seems a bit odd but I suppose they’re just rotation injury cover. Why Dunbar out and McDowall in though?

[OptimisticJock]

He should have been in over him in first place. Neither going to be involved right now so exposure good for him.

[Big D]

McDowall, Hughes and Pyrgos in for Smith, Dunbar and Harley.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47027419

Seems a bit odd but I suppose they’re just rotation injury cover. Why Dunbar out and McDowall in though?

Talent winning out over reputation.

[ARM]

McDowall, Hughes and Pyrgos in for Smith, Dunbar and Harley.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/47027419

Seems a bit odd but I suppose they’re just rotation injury cover. Why Dunbar out and McDowall in though?

Talent winning out over reputation.

It’s not often that we churn out 6’4” skilful inside backs. McDowall was one of the few players to perform against the Os. Deserves it on form.

[Mikey Brown]

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all aboard the McDowall hype train. I just don’t get why Dunbar was there one week and McDowall the next.

McDowall has been in better form for a good while, but I could understand if GT wanted someone more experienced.

[whatisthejava]

It’s not often that we churn out 6’4” skilful inside backs. McDowall was one of the few players to perform against the Os. Deserves it on form.

The backline stuttered against Ospreys , 10 - 12 seemed to be on a different planet from each other but im glad he has been called up.

a Big 12 with decent hands would certainly give us a different option but cant see him getting any action unless a few guys get injured this 6N

[Big D]

It’s not often that we churn out 6’4” skilful inside backs. McDowall was one of the few players to perform against the Os. Deserves it on form.

The backline stuttered against Ospreys , 10 - 12 seemed to be on a different planet from each other but im glad he has been called up.

a Big 12 with decent hands would certainly give us a different option but cant see him getting any action unless a few guys get injured this 6N

Agreed. But of the youngsters are not quite ready to be part of the main squad (Kinghorn, Graham etc) I would have him and probably Crosbie at every squad meet from now until he is ready. It can only help them in the long run.

[Chunks Baws]

The twitter rumours have Kinghorn and Seymour on the wings, Johnson at 12. Kerr and G Graham in the matchday squad.

[Mikey Brown]

I could live with all that. Thought Johnson was concussed though?

[General Zod]

The twitter rumours have Kinghorn and Seymour on the wings, Johnson at 12. Kerr and G Graham in the matchday squad.

Am happy with that. If Maitland touch and go, we don’t have to risk him. He can practice high balls on his own for next week (if he gets back in!).

[Mikey Brown]

No Graham. Wilson at 8. Hmm.



Seems weird to be a bit diappointed as that’s a good set of backs but can Laidlaw please, please just give them the ball pronto and let them do their thing.

[Big D]

Front row is what it is. Rambo and Nel amongst the best at their position and LHP will be a concern until someone grabs a hold of the shirt through good performance or Kebble qualifies in 2020.
Second row - Surprised BBT gets a start but his form has deserved it. Both he and GG are probably the form second rows.
Skinner has played a lot at 6 recently. Not sure if that is the long term direction Exeter are going with him.
Ritchie - Fair chance that he and/or Barclay will need to play there in the RWC so makes sense.
Wilson - Was never getting dropped. Will never be dropped.

9/10/12/13/15 - as expected.
Surprised Kinghorn is selected ahead of Graham to be honest. Graham has been flying for Edinburgh and has earned a start IMO.

Would have liked the bench better with Graham over Harris.

[francoisfou]

Good to see young Kerr on the bench. I’ve watched him a couple of times at Leicester. Let’s hope he gets his chance and keeps his place for the next match.

[Cameo]

I think I am happy with most of that. Don't see it with Harris but that's not a massive moan. Would also like to see Skinner as a mobile 5 rather than a 6 but backrow injuries have affected that and BBT might help with the lineout

[Cameo]

Glorious day forecast btw

[Mikey Brown]

Glorious day forecast btw

A "glorious day for mauling the Italians to death" I presume you mean?

[Tobylerone]

A "glorious day for mauling the Italians to death"

A rather cynical view, but probably accurate.

[Mikey Brown]

Maybe I'm underrating Skinner as a 6 but that's what I'm guessing it indicates. Yes it would be nice to be able to front up to big, aggressive packs but I don't know if it's a good selection for the long term. I suppose we'll see. I'm just so bored of Wilson at 8, as someone else said earlier.

Bhatti on the bench is good. Hadn't spotted that earlier. I like his attitude.

This tip-toeing around whether Strauss is good enough pisses me off too. Either have a proper look at him or ditch him and try someone else.